It’s great to see that our members are continuing to collaborate in the Portland area and are so eager to share their 1% for the Planet commitments with the community!  Bobby says, “It was a great time to have the 1% for the Planet members working together the make the show a success!”

Thanks again, Portland members! If you want to see a video of the fashion show you can view it here.

Since 1999, Stoecker Ecological has focused on conducting sound biological assessments of watersheds; prioritizing restoration opportunities for wild salmon and steelhead populations, while overseeing collaborative projects to improve ecosystem health and recover wild runs of fish. Stoecker Ecological has spearheaded the removal of over three-dozen dams and other migration barriers to reconnect and improve habitat quality for wild steelhead and salmon.  Stoecker Ecological received the 2009 Riparian Challenge Award from the American Fisheries Society for the removal of almost a dozen steelhead migration barriers on Carpinteria Creek.  Thanks to their efforts and support, the endangered fish can once again swim from the ocean back to the uppermost natural limits of the watershed.

Since its formation, Stoecker Ecological has embraced the principles of 1% for the Planet by volunteering over one hundred hours and donating a portion of their annual revenue to environmental non-profits. Joining 1% FTP will let others know what the company is doing to improve the quality of our environment.

Stoecker Ecological’s owner, Matt Stoeker, has been involved with 1% FTP for a number of years through his connection to 1% FTP non-profit partner group, Beyond Searsville Dam. This group is advocating for the responsible removal of Stanford University’s ecologically destructive and antiquated Searsville Dam. Matt also worked alongside 1% FTP’s founder, Yvon Chouinard, to hatch the idea for a film about the dam removal and river restoration movement, called DamNation, which is currently in production.  DamNation is being co-produced by Stoecker Ecological and 1% FTP member Felt Soul Media.

As you can see, Stoeker Ecological has many connections to 1% for the Planet, and we are thankful that they have decided to join as a member to make this connection even stronger! Welcome to our network!

Green Label Coffee will help you rise in the morning, while Bluewater Distilling will help you shine at night!

Green Label Coffee is a small artisan roastery located in Reno, Nevada. They offer premium specialty-grade Arabica coffees that are mostly organic, fair trade and sustainably grown. Their selections are comprised of the finest single origin coffees roasted individually in small batches to bring out their inherent characteristics.

Green Label’s mission is simple: to make the finest coffees and give back to their community and planet whenever possible.  This is why the owner, Josh Watterson, said “joining 1% for the Planet was a no-brainer.” He plans on donating at least 5% of their revenues to local charities and causes that help the environment. Josh knows that alone his small business won’t be able to save the earth, but by teaming up with the rest of our network, everyone’s voices will be amplified and hopefully we can push society to act more responsibly!

Bluewater Distilling, based in Washington state, is expanding by bringing brilliantly smooth and ecologically responsible spirits to the Port of Everett waterfront – the biggest marina on the West Coast.  Bluewater’s first product is organic vodka, with an ultra-dry floral gin and seasonal liquors also in the works!

Bluewater Distilling will offer retail sales at their facility, where visitors will be able to see their copper alembic kettles and learn about distilling techniques from their skilled distillers. Bluewater’s products will also be distributed throughout Washington and Oregon by Vinum Importing, a Seattle based wine and spirits distributor. (Maybe we’ll be able to purchase it in Vermont sometime soon…? Please?) So next time you are in Seattle, make sure to stop by their distillery!

Welcome to Green Label Coffee and congratulations to Bluewater Distilling on their growth! Drink up and as Josh says, “Sit back and savor a cup… or two!” Well… maybe not two cups of vodka… but you get the idea.

We are very happy to welcome Imaginally to our network and look forward to seeing the changes they are able to make through their business!

Photo Courtesy of www.chameleontraining.com.au

Also new to the 1% for the Planet network and offering business services is Chameleon Training.  Based out of Australia Chameleon Training “has helped companies, predominantly based in Australia; enhance their communication with colleagues, clients, investors and virtual teams based throughout Asia which in turn has increased efficiency, revenue and ultimately, profitably.”

The group works with many different types of organizations, something that is made possible by their range of specializations including, “Cross cultural training, Stress Management, Key accounts management training, Myers Briggs Personality testing, Team building, [and] Presentations skill.”

We’re so glad to welcome yet another international member into our network and hope that Chameleon Training will be able to spread their environmental initiatives among their own network!

Our hearts go out to 1% for the Planet member Morningstar Lanyards. Last week wildfires ravaged much of the Western US, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. Lynda MacButch, owner of Morningstar Lanyards in Pocatello, Idaho, lost her home and her entire business to the fires, but is thankful that nobody was injured.

“The only thing left of my home is the chimney, I lost all of my lanyard inventory and my raw materials. Of course we have home owners insurance, but I didn’t have business insurance,” Lynda told us by email. “I am in the process of ordering manufacturing materials and will get my assemblers working ASAP. I hope my customers will be patient and stay loyal, until I can get back on my feet.”

Morningstar Lanyards is a contributor to Trout Unlimited through 1% for the Planet.

LOHAS 2012 Conference this June in Boulder was a highlight for 1%.  Why?  Because some pretty amazing 1% member companies rocked the Partnerships Panel, talking about great work they are doing with non-profits in the network.  Moderated by Melody Badgett, SVP 1% for the Planet, Klean Kanteen Co-Owner Jeff Cresswell, Patagonia Footwear Marketing Manager Sue Harvey-Brown and New Belgium Sustainability Specialist Katie Wallace shared stories of meaningful partnerships that are delivering real impact.

Ditch the Plastics!, Advocate Weeks and Save the Colorado programs, respectively, are moving the needle on engaging consumers in giving back, building awareness around key issues and changing behaviors in positive ways… all supporting the environment in innovative ways that are proving to also be good for business.

Its clear that, while giving is good, companies really want to do more and working in partnership with non-proftis enables “doing together what we cannot do alone”.  The 1% network is fast becoming a place where partners connect, validate and communicate their commitment and, as the emphasis on partnerships grows, 1% sees a huge opportunity to help mobilize and scale more partnerships among likeminded leaders.

Photo Courtesy of YourCableStore.com

YourCableStore.com is more than just an online retailer.  The store specializes in selling just about every cable you could need for your home but also is strongly committed to protecting the environment.  Amy Arendt of the company says, “Upon entering our small Sierra Nevada foothills town, a sign says, ‘Paradise- to be all its name implies.’ We have trails, flumes, wildlife, and mountain fresh water all around us. Joining the 1% for the Planet family will help us partner with local programs to strengthen their presence and causes. We believe our small efforts on a local scale will help preserve all that is Paradise.”

It’s wonderful when a company like this has such a strong connection with the area they’re located in and take the next step to make sure their natural home remains intact and beautiful.

Photo Courtesy of WhiteLeafPhotographs.com

White Leaf Photography is Brian Van Tighem’s way to integrate people with nature. Brian believes, “As a business owner… we need to work towards a mutually beneficial system.  I specialize in on location wedding and portrait photography, blending the beauty of our natural surroundings with the unique characters of the people I photograph.”

Brian’s primary area of concern as far as the environment is carbon emissions.  “As a photographer who travels around, my carbon footprint can sometimes be a deep one.  Since 2009, I have purchased gold standard carbon credits (www.less.ca) for all of my business travel to offset emissions.  I have also switched over to eco-friendly product suppliers such as handmade eco-friendly albums and prints, as well as recycled frames and digital file delivery incentives.  My websites are hosted on servers powered by 100% renewable energy, as is much of the power used in my home office.”

Thanks to Brian as well for fulfilling his duty in caring for the world he captures through photos every day.